We are Burschenschaft Frankonia, the oldest Burschenschaft fraternity in town. A student community that has connected generations of academics across academic faculties for more than 165 years and founding friendships that last a lifetime.
Frankonia Heidelberg is a network that has grown over decades and is widely connected in Germany and abroad, with around 300 members. Alongside a strong community and personal commitment, we place particular value on the best possible academic degree – as the foundation for a successful path in life. Effective, shared learning is just as natural to us as the support of older members and our alumni, the "Alte Herren".
Over generations, friendships and ties with the Meos of our allied fraternities have grown.
Burschenschaft Frankonia zu Heidelberg was founded on 15 November 1856. Its roots reach back to an earlier Frankonia founded in 1833, with the participation of poet and author Joseph Viktor von Scheffel. Under the motto "United and Loyal", we bear the colours gold-black-red-gold and black-red-black for our youngest members.
During the 500th-anniversary celebrations of the Ruperto Carola University and Frankonia's own 30th anniversary, the first plans for a fraternity house took shape. Thanks to the generosity of a number of alumni, the new Frankenhaus opened its doors in 1893. The inaugural speech was held by fraternity member Johann Georg Mönckeberg, then governing mayor of Hamburg.
In 1936, like all other student fraternities, Frankonia was banned by the National Socialists. During the Second World War, its members quietly continued the Frankonia tradition under the name "Kameradschaft Viktor von Scheffel".
Where there's a will, there's a way: Frankonia was re-founded as a Burschenschaft as early as 1950. After lengthy and difficult negotiations, the fraternity house itself was reclaimed in 1952.
In 1956, the Frankonia family celebrated one hundred years of history together, with over 500 guests in attendance.
In 1984, the new residence home opened right next to the Frankenhaus, and has offered affordable housing to student members ever since.
On 21 January 2012, the active members and alumni together voted to withdraw from the parent organization Deutsche Burschenschaft. Frankonia has been a free, independent fraternity ever since – and remains so today.
You can find further information about Burschenschaft Frankonia on Wikipedia (in German), including an overview of notable members.
Are you open to a distinctive form of student life, and can you picture yourself becoming part of a close-knit academic community — while gaining real, loyal friends for life along the way?
Our members support each other well beyond university: with internships, exchange semesters, and career starts. Alongside lectures and shared study sessions, our program covers rhetoric, presentation skills and time management, as well as wine tastings, balls and legendary Frankonia parties.
If you'd like to attend one of our events, just write to us using the form – we'll get back to you and be glad to invite you. You're just as welcome to visit us in person at the Frankenhaus, Neue Schloßstraße 10-12.
Burschenschaft Frankonia Heidelberg
Neue Schloßstraße 10-12, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany